The 2025 Eastern Conference Finals just got a lot more interesting. Down 2-0 and facing a 20-point deficit on the road, the New York Knicks stormed back to beat the Indiana Pacers 106-100 in Game 3, keeping their postseason hopes alive. It was a gritty win defined by resilience, unexpected contributors, and one star’s fourth-quarter takeover. Here are five takeaways from a wild night in Indianapolis:
1. Knicks Add to Postseason History with Another Massive Comeback
New York has made a habit of defying the odds this postseason, and Sunday’s Game 3 victory was no exception. The Knicks became the first team in NBA history to complete three 20-point comebacks in a single playoff run.
After trailing by 20 in the second quarter, New York trimmed the lead to 13 by halftime and chipped away through the third. A 17-5 blitz early in the fourth flipped the game on its head — and helped the Knicks escape what looked like certain doom.
“Unpredictable,” said Jalen Brunson. “But we stuck together.”
2. KAT Unleashes a Fourth-Quarter Masterclass
Karl-Anthony Towns struggled through three quarters, entering the fourth with just four points. But with the season on the line, he flipped the switch — exploding for 20 points in the final frame to match Indiana’s team total.
Towns hit 6-of-9 shots in the quarter, knocked down 3-of-4 from deep, and grabbed eight crucial rebounds. Myles Turner and Tony Bradley had no answers. It was a statement performance at the perfect time.
“He got going,” said Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau. “And when someone gets going, we go to them.”
3. Tom Thibodeau Shakes Up His Rotation (Yes, Really)
Known for leaning heavily on his starters, Thibodeau surprised everyone by using nine players in Game 3. Delon Wright and Landry Shamet saw meaningful minutes — and made them count.
Wright finished +2 in 13 minutes. Shamet was a game-best +12 in 11 minutes after playing just 30 postseason minutes total before Sunday.
Mitchell Robinson also got the nod over Josh Hart in the starting lineup and responded with six points and four boards in the first quarter alone. Even with Brunson logging a postseason-low 30 minutes due to foul trouble, the Knicks got a huge lift from their bench.
4. Aaron Nesmith’s Injury Turned the Tide
When Pacers defensive ace Aaron Nesmith went down with an ankle injury midway through the third quarter, Indiana was in control, leading 70-57. By the time he returned 11 minutes of game time later, New York had taken the lead.
Nesmith’s absence allowed Brunson and Towns more room to operate — and his defense simply couldn’t be replaced. Without him at full strength, the Pacers looked disjointed and sluggish down the stretch.
5. All Eyes on Game 4
Nesmith’s status will be a key storyline heading into Tuesday’s pivotal Game 4. The Pacers also need to rediscover their shooting touch — they made just 5-of-25 from three in Game 3, their worst long-range showing of the postseason.
For New York, the difference between being down 2-1 and 3-0 is massive. Regardless of Game 4’s outcome, they’ve guaranteed a return trip to Madison Square Garden — and renewed belief that this series is far from over.
Bottom Line: With two resilient teams trading haymakers, Game 4 promises to be a must-watch battle. Neither the Pacers nor the Knicks are ready to fold — and this series may just be getting started.
